This blog is about our adventures, whether day-to-day adventures around town, trips to farther lands or our journeys through books. As an avid reader I wanted a blog title to give credit to my literary roots. In the 9th grade I read Steinbeck's "Travels with Charlie." While I'm actually not much of a Steinbeck fan, or that book in particular, the title I used in homage to it just seems to fit my lifestyle.

The Family

Sunday, April 29, 2012

I took the kids to watch my teenage cousin play Thursday
night. The breeze made for a relaxing evening, even though the allergens in the
air made my head throb.

We gave our tickets for Friday night’s university baseball
game to my cousins and aunt and uncle. We made sure we were at yesterday and today’s
games, though.

With a 9 month old we rarely make it through an entire game.
We usually miss the beginning or have to leave early for baby girl’s nap. I’m
constantly wishing each inning would hurry up and be done so we could see more
of the game.

Sadly, this is a direct reflection of my tendency to rush through
life. At each game I’m too often annoyed with how slowly they progress
than to enjoy them.

However, after hearing Bob Scheiffer, one of my favorite
news correspondents and one of the most accurate political reporters of today,
offer his insight on a game he dearly loves, I was able to come to the weekend games with a slightly different outlook.

Here is part of what Scheiffer said in a commentary on Face
the Nation last week:

“To those who speak of golf as a
religious experience, I say no - that's why we have baseball. So I was
delighted to read in The New York Times yesterday that not only have others
seen the light, so to speak, but New York University is offering a for-credit
course taught by NYU's President John Sexton called "Baseball as a Road to
God." Some criticize the game for being slow, but Dr. Sexton told the
Times that its slowness allows us to notice the specialness of life - and even
what may be beyond. Well, of course it does. To me, baseball's great lesson is
how to deal with failure. In baseball as in life, even the best fail more often
than they succeed. The .300 hitter fails to get a hit seven out of 10 times!
But baseball teaches that over the long season, if you put your daily losses
aside, go back to the ball park the next day and play the game right, you'll
win your share of games.”

While I can’t claim to have had a religious experience at a
ballpark, I can attest to the lessons learned from the game. Our team had been
in a serious slump. One co-worker called their horrible luck with hitting someone in when the bases were loaded “the curse of the loaded bases.”
She suggested burning, burying and replacing all the bases.

But this weekend saw a turn-around. Not only did the team win the series, but swept its opponent. For those unfamiliar with college baseball, each school plays other teams in its division three days in a row. Two wins out of three and the team wins the series. Three wins and it's a sweep.

Yesterday, the curse was broken; today, the sweep.

Just when it looked like the season was going down the
tubes, the team played it right.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

It dawned on me a few weeks ago that a blog is often like a
diary – albeit one a person actually wants others to read.

Does anyone actually write in a diary anymore?

What about letters? Other than thank-you notes, I
haven’t written a letter in years.

My husband and I have no love letters between us. We met in our mid-20s, a time well beyond the
note-swapping that was the major form of writing when I was in junior high and
high school.

This means our children will probably know little about the
way we felt when we fell in love. We can tell them of
course, but there’s something about writing one’s feelings at the moment they occur
that shows more of one’s soul.

The idea that the words I pour into this space might someday
be a reminder to my children of who I was as a young mother and how much I adore
them has lately filled me with a stronger sense of purpose.

This space is not only a way for my friends, family and new
online acquaintances to read my thoughts about our life, but it might
also be a way to preserve feelings and stories to pass along to my
children.

Sure, they will have their memories, but memories fade
and don’t often tell the whole story. Maybe through these posts I can preserve moments in time
of our story as a family.

I hope more than ever that my words are an accurate record
and reflection of our time together.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

I bluntly, maybe adamantly is more accurate,
told my husband I didn’t think he would do it.

I love the man. However, like most men I know, he puts things
off.

He’s patient, but a procrastinator; I’m no procrastinator,
but my patience is lacking.

I figured this would be one of many things that would not
get done until I harped on it so much he would do it to get me to be quiet.

A few weeks ago when we had our backyard landscaped, I
wanted to add a small fountain for the little boy, and later for baby girl, to enjoy. I’ve noticed during these past
four years how much he and almost every other child we come across is drawn to any type of
water feature.

Seeing that I wanted it for play purposes,
I was against having a cord plugged into an outlet.

After many discussions, we decided the way to do it was
to try a solar pump. He was told by a local flower shop employee that a solar
pump would never work.

This is when the doubt about the fountain becoming reality
started creeping in.

However, in the hubby’s quest to please the little man and me, he found a solar pump that works and works well.

Then, on Friday, he came home with this massively heavy rock that he
and his co-workers spent the day drilling a hole into.

Monday, April 23, 2012

The Easter Bunny left a four-piece collection of
Beatrix Potter classics in baby girl’s Easter basket. The collection includes
The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tale of Jemima
Puddle-Duck and The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher.

Always the bookworm, I love how the front has a place for:
This book belongs to ______________.

I started to write her name in each of the four books, but stopped myself. I always liked writing my name in my books as a child
and thought I should save this small pleasure for her.

When reading the books aloud at bedtime, the actual stories
don’t draw me in as much as the pictures. I remember reading the Tale of Peter
Rabbit at my grandmother’s house as a child. Truthfully, I’m not quite sure
this is where I read it, but my memory is that she had a copy with the same
pictures in an upstairs bedroom. As I read it aloud to the children, memories
of her home flood my mind.

I read a blog a few weeks ago that described a trip to
England to visit homes of famous authors, and Beatrix Potter’s was one of those
homes. Shortly after we were married, the hubby and I went to England. One of
the stops was Stratford-upon-Avon where we visited Shakespeare’s home. I
remember thinking then how wonderfully literary it would be to take a trip
across England to visit some of my favorite author’s homes. After reading that
blog and now re-reading some of Beatrix Potter’s books, I’ve got to add hers to the
list of British homes to visit.

Another thing about the author I must share is that I want to call her Bellatrix – as in Bellatrix Lestrange. When I spoke her name aloud I got an odd look from the little boy. If you haven’t guessed, we are huge Harry Potter fans around here, and Beatrix and Bellatrix are a bit too close for comfort.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

I didn’t put together many puzzles as a child. Come to think of it, I don’t have a single memory of
ever putting together a puzzle. It's that patience thing again.

I guess that's what amazes me so when watching my little man work on a puzzle. He seems to have his own method for fitting the pieces together and on more than one occasion I've been taken aback by how his mind is working to find each piece's counterpart.

If you have a puzzle lover in your home, check out
seriouspuzzles.com. I was pleased to find a good selection of both shark and
dinosaur puzzles - the little boy's favorites.

This Melissa & Doug set has four puzzles that are
easy enough for him to do many times over.

The others took some help - at least at first.

This one he found about 85 of the 100 pieces the second time
around. He would do it for a few minutes, walk away and play, then come back and find more pieces.

I’m sure this feat has been accomplished by many, but
because I’m no puzzle whiz, I was impressed. Of course, I am the mom!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

I was a mess after my first was born. Mainly because I knew what I should do, but no one seemed to agree with me. I usually did what I thought was best and offered the answer I thought others wanted to hear when asked. Basically, I lied about most of my parenting techniques.

I knew things would be different with the second; I just didn’t realize how
much better they would be after owning up to the way I choose to raise my children.

I don't do many of the things most parenting books or magazines – I quit reading
those long ago – suggest.

I know who I am as a mom. I know who my children are. I know
it’s OK to be different as long as you are being led by a higher power, and you
are following his lead.

I’m not
trying to sound self-righteous or imply my way is better. That’s what made me
such a mess the first time around – thinking there was one right way.

There will always be plenty of people to offer well-meaning, though unwanted, advice. While I must admit it bothers me to think about some of it (like the person who long ago criticized my desire to keep my children at home and referred to my son as the boy in the bubble - still a wee bit bitter over that one), I've learned to

follow my instincts and to hold true to that inner voice that guides me.

It doesn’t mean things are always easy. It doesn’t mean my
feelings won’t get hurt when people question my parenting.

It just means that for now I know in the CORE of my being
that I am doing exactly what God has called me to do.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

For our next trip we had to ask ourselves this question: Do
we fly or do we drive?

Normally, the answer would be easy. If the trip takes more
than 5-6 hours we wouldn’t think of doing anything other than flying. A trip that
takes 23 hours and some odd minutes obviously falls into this category.So...

WE DECIDED TO DRIVE

What, you might ask, are we thinking?

I’ve asked myself that question a number of times as we get
closer to our trip.

Here’s some of the thought process that went into this
decision:- We couldn’t get a direct flight. We live near an airport where direct flights to most destinations
usually aren’t a problem. After much searching, I was dismayed
to find no direct flight leaving out of that airport. The connecting flights
were all cutting it too close. It’s stressful enough making your connection
when you are on your own, but add all the bags, stroller, car seat, snacks,
etc., etc., etc. that come with traveling with two small children, and this began
to stress me out just looking at the booking screen on my computer.- If we were to fly, we would have to rent a car when we got to our destination.
This in and of itself isn’t a big deal. We did it in
San Francisco and Maine. It was the double-take at the price of a rental car that
was the issue.- As we talked more about driving we realized time was on our side. I will
have time off work in between semesters, and my husband has enough vacation
time. The idea of a drive made the trip sound more nomadic and adventurous.
While this means we have to stay in a number of different hotels along the way,
the plus is that we can stop out our leisure. If we stick to our budget, even in the midst of this high-fuel dilemma we are all experiencing, then
we’ll come out slightly less than the car rental would cost. Besides, I’m
a hotel kind of girl and like the possibilities of finding some interesting
spots in places we've never been.

- A good friend took this same trip with her two young daughters a few years
back. They drove and had an excellent time. When I told her we were thinking of
driving she said she wouldn’t have done it any other way.

In the end I felt like we should drive. If I’ve learned anything these
last few years as a mom, it’s to trust my instinct.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

This pile of stone we now call our patio provided a lot of
entertainment for the little boy. It tickled me to listen to him and the hubby
pretending to find fossils. He kept telling me he was finding skeletons in all
the pieces.

We’ve lived six years in this neighborhood where all the
houses are too close to one another, and there is next to no backyard. The empty
feeling of the backyard had been bothering me for a while, but having so little
to work with isn’t much of a motivating factor.

Not being much of a gardener also had something to do with
my trepidation to plant. I know next to nothing about plants, bushes and flowers
or how to keep them alive. I think I’ll one day catch the gardening bug, but it
hasn’t hit yet. So, we paid someone to give us this transformation.

I can't wait to see the blooms on these azaleas next spring.

A bit of erosion control by our fence with the stone pad and the stone broken into small pieces and placed under the gutter.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

The table is decorated, and the Easter presents are ready to
be put into baskets. It all looks good on the surface, yet something doesn't feel right. Once again I am restless.

I know it’s the state of my heart.

I've been in that place where I'm seeking my own
way and my own secret desires more than seeking God. This spiritual valley is a recurring theme for me. I wish I could say otherwise, but this is an uncomfortably familiar place.

I’ve been to communion in the chapel a number of times during
this Lenten season. I keep waiting for an intimate moment that is cleverly evading me. I wouldn't call it an emptiness I feel, just a physical distance of my own making.

How can I lead my kids closer to Jesus when I feel so far
away from him myself? How can I share the real message of Easter when I have this void?

I know it’s the state of my heart.

Last week I felt drawn to the book of John. It wasn’t one of
those moments where I casually opened my Bible and God dropped the answer into my lap. It was a moment when I felt my heart begin to respond to the words written by the one Jesus loved.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

When posting our list of trips a few weeks ago, I forgot to
include our trip to Chattanooga. We visited two years ago when my mother-in-law
booked a room on the Chattanooga Choo-Choo train/hotel. We spent two nights there. While the hotel was somewhat outdated and a disappointment
to us grown-ups, that didn’t matter to our son. He loved getting to sleep on a train.

If memory serves correct, there were a couple of restaurants
on site, so we didn't have to leave to find food.

We spent a day at the aquarium. It is so big there are two buildings to house everything.

We also went to the children’s museum. We went on a weekend,
so it was crowded. I'm not sure if weekdays aren't as busy, but it’s worth
checking out if you are in the area with little ones.

We were able to jump on a bus at the hotel that took us to
all our stops. That was definitely a plus! We started talking to another family on the
bus and realized that the man’s brother was the OB that delivered our son.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

The beauty of spring seems to heighten my sense of God’s
wonderful creation. The bloom of the azaleas is a prime example, and they are at their most spectacular on this lovely
lawn at the heart of campus.

It is probably the most recognizable place in town.
No time is it more beautiful than in the spring. Ok, maybe during the fall when
those glorious trees are brimming with lovely rolls of white runs a close
second if not forcing an out-right tie.

We spent several days last week moving around the lawn trying to keep baby girl in the shade.

We weren't the only ones enjoying the great weather. I
noticed hammocks hanging from trees with college students reading, typing or
napping – some doing all three. There were other families picnicking, running and enjoying the warmth and beauty.

In a few months, maybe even weeks at this rate, it will be too
hot to relax in this cozy spot. So for now, we’ll be out on the lawn as much as
we can.

About Me

I'm a Christian, wife, mother, professor, avid reader and travel lover just trying to walk the path God has set before me.

The Hubby

This man is one kind-hearted, patient soul. I couldn't ask for a better person to travel through this life with.He's a great daddy and wonderful husband.

The Boy

Here's my handsome first born. He's taught me so much about life, myself and motherhood. He's wide open at home, but is introverted and quiet around others. He loves anything to do with sharks, dinosaurs, presidents, art and right now, Egypt.

The Little Girl

This little girl, or Boopsie as she is known around here, is a bundle of joy. She has the cutest personality and is a chatter box. She is dearly loved by her brother, who I think is her favorite, and has brought so much joy and happiness into our lives.